Wearing History

07/06/2026

I’ve been doing English Paper Piecing again, which is a nice, relaxing way to use up fabric scraps and connects us to hundreds of years of handwork before us. Historically they were called “Honeycomb Quilts” and have been documented back as far as the early 1700s.

It’s simple and just takes scraps, needle and thread, and templates cut from scraps of paper.
I’ve been putting free hexagon templates on the blog as I make them- here’s the newest post, which also includes links to get you started:

Free 1″ Sided Hexagons for EPP- And a Quick Method I use for Making Them free patterns, quilting More free hexies! I didn’t bother putting my logo, etc on these. FREE 1″ Hexies PDF! Please print at 100% scale or “actual size” I was looking online for similar, but the hexagons provided had ...

06/09/2026

I had to share this wonderful little flea market find from this weekend. It was so refreshing to see someone in relatable size, dressed up for the camera. I would have placed the dress at about 1914, but on the back it says “Mother” and “Taken 1916.”

When using original sewing patterns of this era, even well into the “teens”, skirts are cut at this length. If you wanted the shorter and more fashionable length, you would have to shorten the skirt pieces. Regardless of what is shown on the front cover. To me it looks like this dress was either homemade or made by a dressmaker.

Also notice her little accessories. She has a fun hat with stand up ribbons, a belt that likely matches the dress trimmings (could have been mounted to the dress), a brooch high up at the neck, and you can just glimpse a bracelet underneath the flared cuff.

Also notice the sleeves are a different fabric than the dress, so she was wearing a sort of “jumper style.” A lot of times we mistakenly assume this was a style for youth (perhaps because it was so prevalent in 1940s and 50s youth culture), but mother is rocking that style here!

Just a really fun look at fashion history worn by an average person ❤️

#1916

06/08/2026

Good time to reshare this, since summer is pretty much upon us! 🌞 🏖️

05/21/2026

This sale is over, but the pic is cute so figured I’d post it here as a memory. Because it’s cute and I would personally buy all these things again.

I’ve been trying to sell some odds and ends on Whatnot, a streaming auction site. Mostly extras I’ve picked up along the way. Because as much as I love treasure hunting, I need to have the funds to pay for the hunting, and I don’t have the space to keep everything for myself. lol.

If you’re also an antiquers you know the finds are always “feast or famine”, so those little bumps of a series of awesome finds and then nothing are so common! So far lately the finds have been awesome with crazy antiquing, estate sales, and thrifting, and I have started a habit of picking up a few other things to break even so I can help pay for my things I get for myself. I don’t always do it, since I primarily shop for the enjoyment of the treasure hunt, but it helps me get out and be “social” ;)

I actually was doing fabric shows first, because I found reproduction quilting cottons while thrifting, but you had to buy the bundles. There was a lot left over, so it kind of turned into a side gig flinging quilt fabric!

Anyways, it’s fun for now, and helpful as vintage sewing patterns have been quite slow for the last couple years. And it enables me to keep treasure hunting. lol. I do get easily distracted, so I’m not sure how long I’ll keep doing it, but it’s enjoyable for now!

(My username is the same on there, but this isn’t a plug, this is just sharing a cool picture and what I’ve been doing. The auction format works well for me since listing and photos take me absolutely ages so I can procrastinate that for years. Ha.)

05/17/2026

Hey, it’s me! We went out to visit friends yesterday and I actually got some photos snapped. And I’m actually wearing my patterns! This is me wearing the Hawthorne 1950s blouse and my Smooth Sailing pants.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted, so hello! And if you’re new here, glad to have you join me ❤️

05/08/2026

Finally listed a little stash of vintage patterns I've counted through in the last few weeks! This set has mostly late 40s and 1950s patterns, including a couple duplicates of some I have. My favorite is probably the halter dress with the cropped bolero- so iconically 1950s.

I feel like the two skirts should get mentioned, as skirt patterns rarely get love- the 1948 Vogue is with a neat notched waistline, and in a short or longer length for evening. I see this with a handpainted and bedazzled blouse like a film noir look. The Advance skirt has an interesting fitted yoke, to which is attached either a circle skirt, or a rectangular skirt with border prints specifically mentioned for that view. The dropped waist means it can fit smoothly under longer sweaters or belted tops, since the gathering won't add waist bulk.

And notice the Simplicity fancy dress- that doesn't just have a cool overskirt, but the shoulder straps aren't actually just straps- the design has SHEER between the two straps. So cool! Don't be deceived by the bland illustration- this one would be great made up.

Some decent sizes in here- including some 36", 38", and a 44" bust. (I'm trying to be good and not keep everything, you guys).

All these are on eBay (for once), as auctions with a little lower rate than I'd usually put them up for. What doesn't get sold will be relisted as BIN. I asked over on the Facebook, and most folks said they prefer eBay for vintage pattern shopping so we'll see how it goes! It's an experiment. :)
https://www.ebay.com/usr/wearing-history

05/07/2026

Does everyone prefer eBay or Etsy for original vintage patterns?
I’ve been listing on Etsy, but a bunch expire and it’s an extra fee for re-listing.
Just curious. I’ll stick them on eBay instead if that’s where folks are looking these days.

04/15/2026

Quick little upload of some really amazing patterns today. I put these ones up on Ebay, along with several others which had been sitting in my Etsy shop for a while.
Two pretty rare pajama patterns from the late 30s and early 40s (I just happened to have duplicates, but I've been collecting forever!).. So I figured might as well put these three back in circulation so others can enjoy!
You can find my listings on eBay as seller wearing-history
Or direct link: https://www.ebay.com/usr/wearing-history

Hope you're having a good week so far!

04/09/2026

Feeling springy! From National Bella Hess, Spring and Summer of 1936. Catalog from my collection

04/08/2026

Finally got some more vintage patterns listed in my Etsy shop. These are a bit newer than my usual, but still some gems in here! I particularly like the reversible wrap skirt with pockets on McCalls 6730, and the Vogue halter top! And that 1980s dress is right in style for today with the loose fit and embroidery. The t shirt pattern is fun because it still has the Raggedy Ann transfers.
All in my etsy shop now. http://wearinghistory.etsy.com
And with my new system including a printed list I check off to check every vintage pattern's condition and pieces, which should make it easier for both me to inspect each one, and you to see easily reference when you get them. All my patterns are mailed in archival bags and backers (except the very large designer ones, as I don't have the right size archival backers!)